A cervical epiphany

I finally found the cervix.

I've been doing semi-successful cervical checks for the past few weeks now -- where I was pretty sure I'd found it, but I always a little uncertain. Unless, that is, the baby was half-way to crowning and the mom suddenly felt like pushing. I'd gotten pretty good at those checks.

I don't know exactly what or how it happened today, but it was a like a light came down from heaven when I checked my patient for the first time today. There was no doubt in my mind that I had found that cervix, it was dilated to 3 cm, and that there was still a bulgy bag of waters.

The most satisfying part was when the doctor agreed with one of my cervical assessments later in the day. I still need practice -- especially for determining effacement and fetal station -- but I'm really starting to get the hang of it.

For the first time, I felt like the idea of me being a labor and delivery nurse (or even a midwife!) wasn't just some crazy dream. Someday, I could actually do it!